Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers

    (Marvel, 2003)
™ and © 1963, 1964, 2003-2005 Marvel Entertainment Group

The prohibitive prices that most of the early, seminal issues of Marvel Comics’ command from back issue dealers spawned the Marvel Masterworks series. Usually ten consecutive issues of a title’s early run were collected and packaged under an impressive hard cover with an additional dust jacket. Originally priced at $29.95, these volumes were a handsome addition to a comic fan’s bookshelf.

This series is a softbound version of the hardback series. While perhaps not as impressive as the hardback version, these volumes still serve the fan base by providing a reasonable alternative for reading some classic stories. These books are also valuable for fans who may have the original issues but are reluctant to inflict any more wear and tear on those collector’s items. Another series, Marvel Milestone Edition, reprinted a single issue of a title that was deemed momentous and was reproduced as originally published, even including the original advertisements, house ads and letters pages. The Masterworks series however featured only the stories and none of the incidental material.

This Avengers edition includes the first ten issues of that title illustrating their origin as a group, the volatility of the line-up and return of Captain America.

— George Haberberger
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist
#1 Variation E (indicia states 4th edition, 1st printing; hardcover)


Cover Price: $75.00
1 copy available for $55.00 		Stan LeeJack Kirby, Don Heck, George Roussos
#4 Variation B (Direct Market Trade paperback Cover B by Jack Kirby)


Cover Price: $24.99
1 copy available for $13.50 		Stan Lee, Roy ThomasDon Heck
#5

December, 2005
Cover Price: $24.99
1 copy available for $13.50 		Roy ThomasJohn Buscema, Don Heck, George Tuska
#5 Variation A (Direct Market Hardcover)

December, 2005
Cover Price: $54.99
1 copy available for $60.00 		Roy ThomasJohn Buscema, Don Heck, George Tuska
#7 (Hardcover Edition by John Buscema)

October, 2007
Cover Price: $54.99
1 copy available for $60.00 		Roy ThomasJohn Buscema
#11 (Hardcover Edition by John Buscema)

November, 2011
Cover Price: $54.99
1 copy available for $43.00 		Roy Thomas, Steve Englehart, Harlan Ellison, Steve Gerber, Stan LeeRich Buckler, Don Heck, George Tuska, John Buscema, Dave Cockrum, Jim Starlin, Sam Kweskin